5 Common Lash Retention Mistakes and How to Fix Them

You’ve spent hours crafting the perfect lash set — every fan is fluffy, every curl is flawless — and then… your client messages you a week later:

“Some lashes fell off already 😭”

We’ve all been there! But here’s the truth: poor lash retention isn’t bad luck — it’s science, environment, and a few sneaky habits that can ruin your perfect work.

At TDANCE, we’ve tested thousands of lash products (and made plenty of mistakes ourselves!) — so now we’re spilling the secrets. Here are 5 common lash retention mistakes and, more importantly, how to fix them like a pro.

❌ Mistake #1: Skipping Proper Lash Prep

If your client’s natural lashes aren’t squeaky clean, your glue has nothing to hold onto.
Oils, makeup residue, or skincare products can create a barrier that causes early shedding — even if your technique is flawless.

💡 How to Fix It:
Start every set with a deep cleanse + primer.
Use TDANCE Lash Mousse or Lash Cleanser to remove oils, then follow with our Retention Primer to balance pH and remove leftover moisture.

✨ Pro Tip:
Don’t just “wipe and go” — really get between those lashes with a micro brush. The cleaner the lash, the stronger the bond!

❌ Mistake #2: Using the Wrong Amount of Glue

This one’s tricky — too little glue = weak bond, too much glue = brittle bond.
You want just enough to fully wrap the natural lash without flooding the base.

💡 How to Fix It:
Dip your fan 1–2mm into the glue dot (not the whole stem!).
Replace your glue drop every 15–20 minutes — old glue gets thick and loses its strength.

✨ Pro Tip:
Use a TDANCE Glue Palette or Jade Stone to keep your glue temperature stable.
And remember — if your room is too humid, your glue will cure too fast before it even touches the lash!

❌ Mistake #3: Working in the Wrong Environment

Your glue’s performance depends on your lash room’s humidity and temperature.
If your glue is curing too fast or too slow, it’s not you — it’s your air.

💡 How to Fix It:
Keep your lash space at:

• Humidity: 45%–60%

• Temperature: 68°F–74°F (20°C–23°C)

If it’s too humid, use a dehumidifier. Too dry? Add a humidifier.
TDANCE glues are formulated to perform in a wide range, but they’ll shine brightest in stable conditions.

✨ Pro Tip:
Get yourself a hygrometer — it’s the lash artist’s secret weapon for consistent retention.

🚫 Common Rookie Move:
Pointing your fan directly at your work area — it dries glue unevenly and causes flaky bonds.

❌ Mistake #4: Poor Placement or Attachment

Perfect retention depends on perfect bonding — the lash extension needs full contact along the natural lash.
If your fan is sitting crooked, attached too far from the base, or only halfway bonded, it will fall off early no matter how strong your glue is.

💡 How to Fix It:
Aim for base-to-base connection. Gently isolate the lash and apply the fan within 0.5–1mm of the lash line.
Hold for one second to let the glue grip before releasing.

✨ Pro Tip:
TDANCE’s Shimmy-Free Fans make this easy — their stable root design stays open and attaches seamlessly without collapsing or twisting.

🚫 Avoid:
Stacking multiple fans on one lash or brushing through immediately after application. Let your bond set first!

❌ Mistake #5: Not Educating Clients on Aftercare

Even if you do everything right, retention can still fail if your clients don’t take care of their lashes.
Sleeping face-down, using oily cleansers, or skipping daily lash cleansing are top retention killers.

💡 How to Fix It:
Give every client a quick aftercare lesson before they leave:

• No water or steam for 24 hours.

• Clean lashes daily with lash shampoo.

• Avoid oil-based skincare and makeup removers.

• Schedule infills every 2–3 weeks.

✨ Pro Tip:
Sell or gift a TDANCE Aftercare Kit — it includes everything they need to maintain their lashes and keeps your results salon-perfect for weeks.

🌈 Bonus Tip: Don’t Blame the Glue Too Quickly

We get it — it’s easy to blame retention issues on glue. But before you toss that bottle, ask yourself:

• Was the humidity stable?

• Was the lash fully cleansed?

• Was the fan properly attached?

More often than not, it’s one of these little details that makes the difference.

💡 Pro Tip:
If you want consistent results, try TDANCE’s Retention Bundle — our best-selling Glue + Primer + Sealer combo that keeps retention rock solid up to 8 weeks.

💬 The TDANCE Truth: Retention Is a Routine

At TDANCE, we’ve worked with lash artists from over 60 countries — and the best retention results always come from one thing: consistency.

Prep. Glue. Environment. Technique. Aftercare.
When you master those five, your lashes will always last longer.

So the next time a client says,

“These lashes still look perfect after three weeks,”
you’ll know it wasn’t luck — it was skill (and a little help from TDANCE 😉).

💎 Final Thought: Master the Fix, Own the Retention

Retention doesn’t have to be a mystery. Once you know what causes lashes to fall, fixing it becomes easy.
Small tweaks = huge results.

👉 Ready to upgrade your retention game?
Explore the TDANCE Retention Collection — from Shimmy-Free fans to long-lasting adhesives — everything you need for lash sets that stay flawless from week one to week six.

Because when your retention is strong, your business grows stronger too. 💖